June 28, 2007

Prison crowding

Andy Furillo reports here that the federal judges appear to be moving toward imposing a cap on the state's prison population, possibly releasing inmates early. While an argument can be made that the state could do this without endangering public safety, does anyone seriously believe that the public will believe that, and that the political conversation surrounding such a release will permit a reasonable discussion of the issue?

The state just adopted what could be the most far-reaching move toward rehabilitation, drug treatment and mental health care in a generation. It's taking steps toward reducing the number of parolees returned to prison, which is the real source of the overcrowding. It is building more beds to clear the hallways and day rooms to make room for education and training programs. Meanwhile, it appears that the Legislature and the administration will agree by the end of the summer on a sentencing commission to overhaul the state's system for setting terms and releasing inmates.

Many argue that those steps will fail. But rather than waiting six months or a year to see if the state turns the corner, these federal judges appear set on ignoring the democratic process and imposing their own solution.

The people who have been cheering this on -- mostly people who oppose the construction of new prison space -- might be surprised at what ensues. I think the most likely reaction is a public uproar over the release of inmates, and a demand for the construction of even more prison cells. We'll see.

Posted by dweintraub on June 28, 2007 8:49 AM